The morning was distracting for the Patriots, what with a special opening ceremony and a bonanza of photos with family in pre-game warmups.

Eventually, the Pioneer High School softball team put on a show in its first game of Albie Awares Cancer Awareness Tournament.

The festivities at St. Francis in Sacramento started with a cancer awareness ceremony that included local cancer survivors Aimee Daniels, a Pioneer teacher, Sharon Irbi, a school security guard, and Linda Abaurrea, erstwhile Woodland attendance clerk. Then Patriots coach Linda Merrida sanctioned a photo session for the Patriots.

"Today was like a special day," Merrida said. "It was nice for the family members to come down and do this, because we don't normally do this. It's fun. Sometimes you've got to have some fun.

"That's what makes this group special. They do know how to have fun. But then they know how to turn it back to, 'Hey there's a game and we need to start focusing.' And they do that."

Then, with a laugh, she added, "Took a while."

Facing a 3-0 deficit in the non-league game, Pioneer launched four home runs -- two by junior Rylie Carlier -- to defeat River City 6-3 and stay undefeated on the season.

Carlier's first round-tripper came in the third, a two-run blast on an 0-2 count that freshman Makenna Lipelt followed with a solo shot on another 0-2 pitch. With the game tied in the sixth, junior Erin Lipelt hit a two-run homer before Carlier smashed a three-run dinger.

It was the first time the Lipelt sisters each hit home runs in the same contest.

"They had to adjust to the speed of the pitchers," Merrida said. "It's a little slower than what they are normally seeing. Then they start ripping it."

The Patriots (11-0) should get used to that speed, since the Raiders (5-7) are joining the Tri-County Conference next year and both of their pitchers Saturday are freshmen.

Pioneer starter Angelica Dark allowed two runs in the first on three hits including a double, the only extra-base knock for River City. The junior also gave up a run on two singles in the second.

"Third inning on, she was in control," Merrida said of Dark, who had three strikeouts. "She fielded her position really well today."

Every Patriot on the roster had a chance to field a position in the victory.

"That's very important in this setting, to allow that to happen," Merrida said. "Doesn't hurt when you have four home runs too."

Pioneer returns to league play Monday when it hosts Woodland at 4 p.m.